Connect a second monitor or projector

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1

Having a second screen can help you see several open apps at once. You can also connect a projector so everyone in the room can see your screen.

You connect most monitors and projectors with DVI, VGA, or HDMI cables. (Some devices can even connect wirelessly. For info, see Project to a wireless display with Miracast.) Your PC might have one or more of these ports.DVI, VGA, and HDMI ports

After you connect a monitor or projector to your PC, you can:

Use the four corners of any screen with a mouse or the edges of touchscreens to open the Start screen, charms, and your recent apps.

Have more than one window open on each screen, with each window running an app.

Customize your screens by having taskbars on one or all displays, and moving apps between your screens.

You plug in most monitors and projectors with cables that match an available DVI, VGA, or HDMI port on your PC. If your PC has only one DVI port that's already in use, some PC makers include custom monitor cables that split the signal from one DVI port to two monitors.

Notes

A desktop PC needs a video card with two DVI, VGA, or HDMI ports.

If your monitor or projector has a cable that doesn’t match your PC, you can get an adapter to convert one type to another (for example, to help plug a DVI monitor into your VGA port or vice versa).

After you have your second monitor or a projector set up to your liking, you might want to have a taskbar on each desktop screen to make switching between apps and files easier. You can have taskbars on all the screens showing the desktop and change the buttons appearing on them.

If you're using a mouse, you can also bring up the taskbar on your Start screen or within Windows Store apps by moving your mouse pointer to the bottom of your screen. (Try moving your mouse pointer so far below the screen that it disappears.) The taskbar will disappear when you move the mouse away from the bottom of the screen.

To get taskbars on your desktop

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search (or if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search), and then enter Taskbar and Navigation in the search box.

Tap or click Taskbar and Navigation.

Under Multiple displays, select Show taskbar on all displays, and pick the options you want.

If you have both a touchscreen and non-touchscreen monitor connected to your PC, you might need to change settings for your cursor.

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search (or if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search), enter Tablet PC Settings, and then tap or click Tablet PC Settings.

Tap or click Setup. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

If you’re given a choice, tap or click Touch Input, and follow the on-screen instructions.